Clown Cop Takes Department For a Ride

Chicago cop sues suburban officers in response to goodwill

Ladieeees and Gentlemen! Children of all ages! Right this way! The circus is about to begin! Step right up to the big top, and see our talented, unpredictable clowns.

Why, here comes off-duty Chicago Police Officer William Singer! Watch the 38-year-old go round and round as he and his wife balance themselves on a dolphin on a children's carousel at the Westfield Chicago Ridge Mall. Such grace! If you think that's great, wait for the finale!

According to a police report, when a child started crying on the ride that Singer was on, the unidentified off-duty cop lifted his shirt, showed the carousel operator his concealed handgun, and asked, "Do you want me to take care of the problem for you?" But the carousel operator didn't understand that this off-duty cop was just clowning around and he freaked. 

Police escorted Singer to a mall security office for brandising a weapon in a mall where he then identified himself as an officer and admitted that, although he was only joking, he had not identified himself as an off-duty cop to the carousel operator.

Chicago Ridge Police Chief Tim Baldermann did not appreciate Singer's humor, he did release him as a courtesy but warned him to "show better judgment."

And just how did our dolphin-riding clown thank the Police Chief?

With a lawsuit!

According to the Chicago Tribune, on July 31, Chicago Ridge police got a notice from Ed Vrdolyak's law firm, which is representing Singer and his wife, claiming the couple experienced "emotional distress" as a result of the incident.

Chicago Ridge Mayor Eugene Siegel said, "That doesn't sound normal. You'd think he'd be grateful for getting a break."

The Chicago Police Department's Internal Affairs Division has opened an investigation into the incident.

Now this joke, which wasn't all that funny to begin with, is nothing less than absurd.

Matt Bartosik, a "between blogs" blogger, rarely clowns around.

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